College student 'shook' by Texas pledge, says Lone Star State 'is a cult'

@lindsay_mcelwee: "IM SO SHOOK TEXAS LITERALLY HAS A PLEDGE THEY SAY EVERY MORNING I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE TEXAS IS A CULT"

@lindsay_mcelwee: "IM SO SHOOK TEXAS LITERALLY HAS A PLEDGE THEY SAY EVERY MORNING I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE TEXAS IS A CULT"

Photo: Courtesy/Twitter

Photo: Courtesy/Twitter

Image
1of/37

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 37

@lindsay_mcelwee: "IM SO SHOOK TEXAS LITERALLY HAS A PLEDGE THEY SAY EVERY MORNING I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE TEXAS IS A CULT"

@lindsay_mcelwee: "IM SO SHOOK TEXAS LITERALLY HAS A PLEDGE THEY SAY EVERY MORNING I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE TEXAS IS A CULT"

Photo: Courtesy/Twitter

College student 'shook' by Texas pledge, says Lone Star State 'is a cult'

1 / 37

Back to Gallery

If you grew up in Texas, chances are you recited the same 17 words each morning at school: "Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state, under God. One and indivisible."

But it seems Texas may be an anomaly when it comes to the morning routine.

Lindsay McElwee, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, told mySA.com she was bewildered when she learned during a conversation with her friends that most Texans recited a pledge of allegiance to the state flag at the beginning of each school day.

She thought for sure her friends were kidding. But her friend who "is always saying something about how Texas is the best," was the one who told McElwee about the pledge.

"I'm so shook. Texas literally has a pledge they say every morning," she said. "I thought it was a joke. Texas is a cult."

The pledge was first written in 1933, when the state legislature passed a law establishing rules on how to display the Texas flag, and said "Honor the Texas Flag of 1836" at the beginning, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

In 1965, lawmakers dropped the "1836" portion of the pledge and in 2007, "one state under God" was added.

According to Texas Government Code, if both the U.S. and Texas flag are present, it is proper to recite the country's pledge before the state's. Additionally, those wearing a hat or head covering are required to remove it, place it just under their left shoulder and hold their hand over their heart, the code says.

McElwee didn't anticipate the onslaught of responses she received— her tweet has amassed hundreds of comments, and thousands of likes and retweets. She's been called ignorant for not knowing about the tradition, while others were confused — was their state the only one to do a daily pledge?

"I thought every state had a pledge," one Twitter user replied.

McElwee said she's also received messages from fellow Kappa Delta sorority members in Texas who found the tweet funny. She said Arkansas students from Texas are "all VERY spirited and proud about their home state."

True to our braggadocios form, Texans responding to the tweet have boasted about Lone Star State tattoos and waffles. One employed southern hospitality, inviting McElwee to Texas for sweet tea.

"Girl, we're real proud to be Texan, but we'll welcome you to Texas with open arms and sweet tea any day," the Twitter user said.